UK to meet 2020 renewables target

The UK is on track to meet its first interim target of generating 15% of its energy from renewable sources by 2020.

DECC has just published the UK Renewable Energy Roadmap Update, which suggested the Government is confident that 30% of the UK’s electricity will come from renewables by the end of the decade, with wind playing a leading role. The report also claims the Coalition is “committed to increasing the deployment of renewable energy across the UK”.

RenewableUK welcomed the update and said it shows a “clear vote of confidence” from the Government.
Maf Smith, Deputy Chief Executive said: “The Update is spot on – it highlights the sector’s dynamic growth and the healthy pipeline of wind, wave and tidal projects to come. It’s right to note that costs are falling steadily so renewables will continue to offer even better value for money for all of us. This will help to stabilise the price of energy, providing a secure alternative to importing expensive fossil fuels.

“This Update clearly sets out the benefits in terms of jobs and investment, pointing out that the renewable energy sector represented one of the largest sources of inward investment in 2011/12 and foreseeing 400,000 of us working in green collar jobs by 2020.”

The trade body claims renewables will be generating more of our electricity than nuclear power by 2016 and wind will be the biggest contributor of electricity to the UK apart from natural gas by 2020.